A method, apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable medium allows a terminal to concurrently receive control input from multiple secondary devices through a short distance communication mode. The terminal is connected with at least two secondary devices in the short distance communication mode. A key map is applied to the connected secondary devices. When a key signal is received from at least one of the connected secondary devices, the secondary device that transmitted the key signal is identified. And a function mapped to the key signal is executed according to the key map applied to the identified secondary device.
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1. A function control method of a terminal using short distance communication, comprising: connecting with at least two secondary devices by short distance communication; applying a corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices, the terminal having an executed application for executing functions according to key signals received from the at least two connected secondary devices; identifying which of the connected secondary devices transmitted a key signal when the key signal is received; and executing a function mapped to the key signal according to the key map applied to the identified secondary device.
A method for a terminal to control functions using short-distance communication. The terminal connects with at least two secondary devices (e.g., peripherals) via short-distance communication (e.g., Bluetooth). A key map, defining which functions are triggered by which key signals, is assigned to each connected secondary device. When the terminal receives a key signal, it identifies which secondary device sent it. The terminal then executes the function associated with that key signal, based on the key map assigned to the sending secondary device. An application running on the terminal dictates the functions executable via key signals.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the corresponding key map comprises: determining whether the executed application supports the multi-key; checking key information for each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application supports the multi-key; and applying the corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices according to the respective checked key information.
Building upon the function control method of a terminal that connects with at least two secondary devices via short distance communication, applying a corresponding key map to each connected device, identifying which device transmitted a key signal, and executing a function mapped to the key signal, the key map assignment process includes checking if the application running on the terminal supports multiple key mappings simultaneously (multi-key support). If multi-key is supported, the method checks the key information (e.g., capabilities, available keys) for each connected secondary device. The key maps are then assigned to each device based on its checked key information, allowing for custom function assignments per device.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising applying the same key map to each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application does not support the multi-key.
In the function control method where a terminal connects to multiple secondary devices via short-distance communication, applies a corresponding key map, identifies signal sources, and executes mapped functions, if the application running on the terminal does NOT support multiple, distinct key maps (multi-key support) as part of the key map application process involving determining multi-key support and checking key information, then the *same* key map is applied to *all* connected secondary devices. This ensures consistent function assignment across all devices when the application lacks the capability for individualized mappings.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting with at least two secondary devices by short distance communication comprises: determining whether at least one other secondary device is already connected to the terminal when connection of a new secondary device is requested; determining whether a multi-connection option is selected when at least one secondary device is already connected to the terminal; connecting with the new secondary device for which connection is requested while maintaining connection with at least one connected secondary device when the multi-connection is selected; and applying the key map to the connected secondary devices.
A system and method for managing multiple short-distance communication connections between a terminal device and secondary devices addresses the challenge of efficiently handling concurrent connections without disrupting existing links. The technology operates in the domain of wireless communication, particularly short-range protocols like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, where devices often struggle with maintaining stable connections when multiple devices attempt to connect simultaneously. The method involves a terminal device that can connect to at least two secondary devices using short-distance communication. When a new secondary device requests a connection, the terminal first checks if another secondary device is already connected. If so, it determines whether a multi-connection option is enabled. If multi-connection is selected, the terminal establishes the new connection while preserving the existing one(s). Once connected, the terminal applies a key map—a predefined input or control scheme—to all connected secondary devices, ensuring consistent functionality across them. This approach prevents connection drops and allows seamless interaction with multiple devices, such as keyboards, controllers, or sensors, without manual reconfiguration. The solution enhances usability in environments where multiple input or peripheral devices are required, such as gaming, productivity setups, or IoT applications.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising displaying an indication that the new secondary device cannot be connected when the multi-connection is not selected.
Expanding on the function control method that involves connecting to multiple devices via short distance communication after checking for existing connections and a multi-connection option, if the multi-connection option is *not* selected as part of the connection process involving determining whether another device is connected and determining whether multi-connection is selected, the method displays a notification or indication that the new secondary device cannot be connected. This prevents connections beyond the supported limit when multi-connection is disabled.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein connecting with the new secondary device while maintaining connection with at least one connected secondary device comprises: determining whether the executed application supports the multi-key; checking key information for each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application supports the multi-key; and applying the corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices according to the respective checked key information.
Further detailing the function control method that involves checking existing connections, multi-connection options, and connecting while maintaining existing connections when a new secondary device requests connection, when the method connects with the new secondary device while maintaining connections with existing devices if multi-connection is selected, the method determines whether the application supports multi-key. If so, it checks the key information for each connected secondary device and applies a *corresponding* key map based on each device's specific information.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein identifying which of the connected secondary devices transmitted the key signal comprises: comparing an address included in the key signal with at least one stored address of connected secondary devices.
Building upon the function control method where a terminal connects to multiple secondary devices via short-distance communication, applies key maps, identifies signal sources, and executes functions, identifying which device sent the key signal, the source identification process involves comparing the address (e.g., Bluetooth MAC address) included in the received key signal with the stored addresses of all connected secondary devices. The device with the matching address is identified as the sender.
8. A function control terminal, comprising: a controller configured to: connect the terminal with at least two secondary devices by short distance communication; apply a corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices, the terminal having an executed application for executing functions according to key signals received from the at least two connected secondary devices; identify which of the connected secondary devices transmitted when the key signal is received; and execute a function mapped to the key signal according to the key map applied to the identified secondary device; and a short distance communication unit configured to receive a key signal from at least one of the connected secondary devices in a short distance communication mode.
A function control terminal includes a controller and a short-distance communication unit. The communication unit receives key signals from connected secondary devices. The controller connects the terminal with at least two secondary devices via short-distance communication. It applies a key map to each device, determines which device transmitted a received key signal, and executes the function mapped to that key signal according to the key map applied to the identified sending device. The terminal runs an application to determine the functions executed by the received key signals.
9. The function control terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the executed application supports the multi-key, check key information for each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application supports the multi-key, and apply the corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices according to the respective checked key information.
Describing the function control terminal comprising a controller that connects to devices via short distance communication, applies key maps, identifies signal sources, and executes functions, the controller is configured to determine whether the running application supports multiple key mappings simultaneously (multi-key). If so, the controller checks key information for each connected secondary device. The controller then applies a *corresponding* key map to each device based on the checked information, facilitating custom function assignments per device.
10. The function control terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to apply the same key map to each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application does not support the multi-key.
In the function control terminal which has a controller that connects to multiple secondary devices via short-distance communication, applies corresponding key maps, identifies signal sources and executes functions, when the controller determines that the application does NOT support multi-key (as part of the process that involves determining multi-key support and checking key information), it applies the *same* key map to *every* connected secondary device. This ensures consistent behavior across all devices when the application lacks individualized mapping capabilities.
11. The function control terminal of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether at least one other secondary device is already connected to the terminal when connection of a secondary device is requested, determine whether a multi-connection option is selected when at least one secondary connected device is already connected to the terminal, connect with the new secondary device for which connection is requested while maintaining connection with at least one connected secondary device when the multi-connection is selected, and apply the key map to the connected secondary devices.
A function control terminal connects to multiple secondary devices via short-distance communication. The controller determines if other devices are already connected when a new device attempts to connect. If other devices are present, it checks for a "multi-connection" option. If multi-connection is selected, the terminal connects to the new device while maintaining existing connections. The controller then applies the appropriate key map to all connected secondary devices.
12. The function control terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to output an indication that the new secondary device cannot be connected when the multi-connection is not selected.
Further describing the function control terminal that connects to multiple secondary devices via short distance communication, if the multi-connection option is *not* selected (as part of the process that involves checking existing connections and the multi-connection option) the controller outputs a notification indicating the new device cannot be connected. This prevents connections beyond the supported limit.
13. The function control terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller, when connecting to the new secondary device while maintaining connection with at least one connected secondary device, is further configured to: determine whether the executed application supports the multi-key, check key information for each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application supports the multi-key; and apply the corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices according to the respective checked key information.
Detailing the function control terminal involving connection management and key mapping to connected devices via a controller: when connecting to a new device while maintaining connections (when the multi-connection option is selected), the controller determines if the application supports multiple key mappings. If so, the controller checks the key information of each device and applies a *corresponding* key map to each connected device, based on its key information.
14. The function control terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to compare an address included in the key signal with at least one stored address of connected secondary devices to identify which of the connected secondary devices transmitted the key signal.
In the function control terminal involving connection management, key mapping, signal source identification, and function execution via a controller: the controller identifies which device sent the key signal by comparing the address included in the received key signal with the stored addresses of all connected secondary devices. The device with the matching address is identified as the signal source.
15. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software for allowing a terminal to receive input from multiple secondary devices concurrently through a short distance communication mode, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for: connecting with at least two secondary devices in the short distance communication mode; applying a corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices, the terminal having an executed application for executing functions according to key signals received from the at least two connected secondary devices; identifying which of the connected secondary devices transmitted a key signal when the key signal is received; and executing a function mapped to the key signal according to the key map applied to the identified secondary device.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores software instructions that enable a terminal to receive input from multiple secondary devices concurrently via short-distance communication. The instructions cause the terminal to connect to at least two secondary devices, apply a key map to each device, identify which device transmitted a received key signal, and execute the function mapped to that key signal according to the key map assigned to the sending device.
16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , connecting with at least two secondary devices in the short distance communication mode comprises: determining whether at least one other secondary device is already connected to the terminal when connection of a new secondary device is requested; determining whether a multi-connection option is selected when at least one secondary device is already connected to the terminal; connecting with the new secondary device for which connection is requested while maintaining connection with at least one connected secondary device when the multi-connection is selected; and applying the key map to the connected secondary devices.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium contains software for a terminal to receive input from multiple secondary devices. Part of connecting to at least two secondary devices involves determining if other devices are already connected. If so, it checks for a "multi-connection" option. If selected, the terminal connects to the new device while maintaining existing connections. A key map is then applied to all connected devices.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein applying the corresponding key map comprises: determining whether the executed application supports the multi-key; checking key information for each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application supports the multi-key; and applying the corresponding key map to each of the connected secondary devices according to the respective checked key information.
In the non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for connecting devices via short-distance communication, applying key maps, identifying signal sources, and executing functions, the application of the key map involves determining whether the running application supports multiple key mappings. If so, the instructions check key information for each connected secondary device, and a *corresponding* key map is applied to each device based on its specific information.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising instructions for applying the same key map to each of the connected secondary devices when the executed application does not support the multi-key.
In the non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for connection management, key mapping, signal source identification, and function execution: if the application does NOT support multiple key mappings (multi-key) as part of the key mapping process including determining multi-key support and checking device info, the instructions apply the *same* key map to *every* connected secondary device.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising instructions for providing an indication that the new secondary device cannot be connected with the multi-connection is not selected.
Detailing the non-transitory computer-readable medium which connects with new devices after checking for multi-connections: if the multi-connection option is *not* selected as part of connecting to at least two secondary devices including checking for existing connections and determining whether a multi-connection option is selected, the instructions provide a notification indicating the new device cannot be connected.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein identifying which of the connected secondary devices transmitted the key signal comprises: comparing an address included in the key signal with at least one stored address of connected secondary devices.
This invention relates to a system for identifying secondary devices in a network by analyzing key signals transmitted by those devices. The problem addressed is the difficulty in accurately determining which secondary device sent a key signal in a network where multiple devices are connected. The solution involves a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, perform a method to identify the transmitting device. The method includes receiving a key signal from a secondary device connected to a primary device, such as a computer or server. The key signal contains an address, which is compared against a stored list of addresses corresponding to known secondary devices. By matching the address in the key signal with an entry in the stored list, the system determines which secondary device transmitted the signal. This approach ensures accurate identification of the transmitting device, even in environments with multiple connected devices. The stored addresses may be preconfigured or dynamically updated as devices connect or disconnect from the network. The method may also include additional steps, such as validating the key signal or logging the identification result for further processing. This system is particularly useful in applications requiring precise device tracking, such as security systems, industrial automation, or network management.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 18, 2010
August 6, 2013
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